The Detroit Lions raised a few eyebrows during the 2025 NFL Draft when they traded two future third-round picks to move up and snag Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa with the 70th overall pick. While some analysts questioned the move—especially since TeSlaa was projected as a Day 3 selection—Lions GM Brad Holmes made it clear: he doesn’t care what the draft grades say.
In an interview on 97.1 The Ticket, Holmes didn’t hold back his enthusiasm for the pick. “He was my favorite wide receiver in this draft,” Holmes said. “I’m not saying he was the best. But he was definitely my favorite.” That’s high praise for a player many didn’t expect to go until much later.
TeSlaa, a Michigan native and former Division II standout at Hillsdale College, transferred to Arkansas where he made his mark in 25 games—hauling in 62 catches for 896 yards and five touchdowns. At 6’4″, 214 pounds, with 10-inch hands and impressive athletic testing numbers, TeSlaa clearly checked a lot of boxes for Detroit.
Holmes admitted the Lions were aggressive this year, trading up three times to land players they had highly rated—including TeSlaa, Georgia guard Tate Ratledge, and LSU’s Miles Frazier. When discussing the decision to move up, Holmes explained that the pool of high-graded talent was thinning fast. “You’re sitting at 102 and you look up and think, ‘We love this guy, but there are eight teams that still need a receiver.’ So, you go get your guy.”
Despite the critics, Holmes is sticking to his board and trusting his instincts. TeSlaa now joins a crowded Lions receiver room alongside Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, and others. Whether he proves the doubters wrong remains to be seen—but make no mistake, this was a Holmes pick through and through.
Brad Holmes Stands by Risky Trade, Calls Isaac TeSlaa His Favorite WR in Draft
